Americans Are Claiming Their Social Security Benefits Earlier

WSJ Your Money Briefing

The Wall Street Journal

News, Business News

3.8 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 12 May 2025

⏱️ 9 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The Trump administration has called for sweeping changes to government agencies and fueled claims of fraud in the Social Security administration — all of which has shaken faith in the decades-old institution. Wall Street Journal reporter Anne Tergesen joins host Julia Carpenter to discuss why some seniors are claiming their benefits earlier than expected. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Americans love using their credit cards, the most secure and hassle-free way to pay.
0:04.0	But DC politicians want to change that with the Durban Marshall Credit Card Bill.
0:08.0	This bill lets corporate megastores pick how your credit card is processed,
0:13.0	allowing them to use untested payment networks that jeopardize your data security and rewards.
0:18.0	Corporate megastores will make more money and you pay the price. Tell Congress
0:22.7	to guard your card because Americans lose when politicians choose. Learn more at guardyercard.com.
0:32.9	Here's your money briefing for Monday, May 12th. I'm Julia Carpenter for the Wall Street Journal.
0:43.7	More than three quarters of U.S. adults said they worry a great deal or a fair amount about Social
0:49.3	Security. That's a 13-year high, according to a March Gallup poll. And when people are more fearful for Social Security's future, they're also likelyer to claim their benefits earlier than expected, even if it means getting less income over the rest of their lives.
1:05.5	Financial advisors hear all the time people joking and saying, well, you know, if Social Security's there for me,
1:11.2	then I guess I'll make X amount for month.
1:13.5	It doesn't take a lot to get people anxious enough that they are ready to claim earlier
1:19.0	than they might have originally planned because of concerns about the program.
1:24.2	So what's in store for those who have decided to claim their benefits earlier?
1:28.3	And how should someone decide when to do it, if ever?
1:31.2	We'll talk with Wall Street Journal reporter and Turgesson about the future of Social Security and American retirement.
1:37.9	That's after the break.
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	...

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